CHISHOLM ’72 — Unbought & Unbossed

Long Synopsis

CHISHOLM ’72 — Unbought & Unbossed is a feature length documentary about Brooklyn Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and her campaign to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in 1972. Like her, it is fabulous, fierce, and fundamentally “right on.”

Congresswoman Chisholm announced her bid for the Democratic nomination for president in January of 1972 to her supporters in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. That was the easy part. What followed were events filled with intrigue, backstabbing, mud-slinging, and blatant disrespect. Along with displays of conviction, loyalty, and unflagging support, Chisholm’s candidacy provoked disbelief, discussion, and debate. One thing was clear, whether viewed as a novelty or a political savior, she could not be ignored. CHISHOLM ’72 chronicles the adventures that carried her from a Baptist church in Brooklyn, NY in January to the Democratic National Convention in Miami in July supported by thousands of Americans from all walks of life and over one hundred delegates.

Chisholm was a nursery school teacher who evolved through necessity into a local politician, state assemblywoman, and U.S. Congresswoman. She stood her ground and became a “political action hero” of sorts to those Americans outside the political mainstream— black “radicals,” feminists, political idealists, and the youth of America. While her firsts are important— the first black woman elected to Congress (1968 - 1983) and the first to run for president (1972)— the point is not to simply glorify Shirley Chisholm. What resonated in 1972 and will attract people to her story today, was her sheer will to push the limits of the status quo.

CHISHOLM ’72 explores the question of whether she succeeded or failed. While she did not win the nomination, the “Chisholm for President” campaign inspired countless grass roots people to get politically active such as Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) who at the time was a student and single-mother on public assistance. Is that success enough? How do we evaluate her contribution to American history and politics? What does it mean to participate in American democracy? And, the question many people ask today: Why bother to participate at all? The lessons from Chisholm’s campaign address these questions and allow us to reflect on the current state of voter participation and presidential politics in light of Election 2000 and looking ahead to Campaign 2004.

CHISHOLM ’72 reflects Chisholm’s wit, spirit, and charisma, reminding all Americans of their power and even inspiring some to join the Chisholm Trail and continue fighting “The Good Fight.”